Retreat tomorrow, reminders, Florida letter!

Hello band and orchestra students and parents,

We are looking forward to the retreat tomorrow! Check out the Sept. 6 blog for a packing list. See you at school tomorrow, bus leaves at 6:00 p.m. or at Camp Geneva Pines by 6:15 p.m.

Here are a few reminders of stuff from past blogs.

1. This is a last reminder for Florida commitment forms and retreat consent forms.

2. This is a last reminder for chaperons for the Florida trip, please contact me a.s.a.p. if you are willing to help out.

3. All uniform and rental fees are due next week Thursday.

Here is a heads up about next week.

4. Florida bound students will be sending out 4 letters on Oct. 1 or 2 during class requesting donations for our trip. Please carefully consider who you might send your letters to. Here is a copy of the letter that we will be sending.

It is a priority for the Florida Trip Committee that this trip be affordable for every student regardless of their financial situation. In this effort we will be sending out letters as part of a group fundraiser. Money donated as a result of this group fundraiser will offset costs for the whole group and these donations are tax deductible. It is not possible to have donations as a result of this letter writing endeavor go directly to an individual student.

Please fill out this form with the 4 names and addresses that you will be sending letters to. The form should automatically send you a copy of your responses which you can use when you fill out the addresses.

Thank you!

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	Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian Schools 956 Ottawa Ave. Holland, MI 49423  web: hollandchristian.org  blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com school: 616.820.2805 | cell: 616.212.8867 Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ

Retreat info, Florida info, uniforms, rentals!

Hello band and orchestra students and parents,

I hope you are having a great week! Last week's blog entry had all information related to schedules for this year, and this one has everything financially related. 

Here is the nitty gritty info about trips, retreats, fees, and the music lesson scholarships for band and orchestra this year.

1. Chaperons are needed for our Fall Retreat! Please email me if you are willing to help out.

2. Chaperons are needed for our Florida trip! Please email me if you are willing to help out.

3. The Band, Orchestra, Choir Parent Board (BOC) is offering music lesson scholarships. Follow this link and fill one out if you are interested. The deadline is Friday, September 13. The scholarships awarded may be used immediately or for later in the school year.

4. Here are an important note about the fall retreat and a consent form to print off and fill out and return to school with a check for $55 by Thursday, September 19. Payment and forms can be mailed to HCHS or dropped in the designated envelope in the band/orchestra room. The fee will cover the cost of food and facilities at Camp Geneva. Please communicate with me if you are in need of financial assistance. This retreat is for all band and orchestra students. It is not required, but you are strongly encouraged to attend. We are looking forward to this time together.

5. We are so looking forward to the Florida trip this year from April 1 to April 6! This trip is for all students in band and orchestra, it is not required, but you are encouraged to attend. Please follow this link for trip information and a commitment form. Please print the form, fill it out and turn it in by Thursday, September 19. I will also have paper copies available in the band/orchestra room. Here is a preliminary (not finalized) itinerary.

6. Band and orchestra uniform fitting is coming soon! The fittings will take place during band and orchestra class periods.

Each fall band and orchestra students are assessed a uniform fee that covers uniform alterations, repairs, marching shoes and gloves, and dry cleaning. (The shoes and gloves are for band marching uniforms only.) This fee will be due by Thursday, October 3. It is $15 for orchestra and $25 for band. Please communicate with me if you are in need of financial assistance. Please designate uniform fee in the memo line of the check. This fee can be mailed to HCHS or placed in the designated envelope in the band/orchestra room. 

Additional notes: 

-Band and Orchestra guys will need black dress shoes and black socks for their tuxedo and girls will need appropriate footwear for their black dresses. These items are not provided. 

-Brass, woodwind, and percussion members of the symphonic orchestra only need to pay the band uniform fee, not both.

7. Each fall student who is using a school-owned instrument are assessed a rental fee of $60 for the year. This fee covers a portion of the cost of repairs and maintenance. Students who switch instruments to help with the balance of the band or orchestra are given a waiver on this fee for a year. Those checks are due on Thursday, October 3. Please communicate with me if you are in need of financial assistance. Please designate instrument rental in the memo line of the check. This fee can be mailed to HCHS or dropped in the designated envelope in the band/orchestra room.

Thank you!

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	Scott Vanden Berg | Director of Instrumental Music Holland Christian Schools 956 Ottawa Ave. Holland, MI 49423  web: hollandchristian.org  blog: http://vandenbergnotes.blogspot.com school: 616.820.2805 | cell: 616.212.8867 Equipping Minds and Nurturing Hearts to Transform the World for Jesus Christ